How construction companies can maximize the benefit of the growing economyBy Nate Budde It goes without saying that a strong economy is generally better than a weak economy. For construction companies, however, a growing economy can be fraught with peril. In fact, subcontractor failure rate is three times higher in a recovering economy than it is when the economy is stagnant. The savvy construction company, though, can avoid many of these pitfalls through technology. The many cloud-based tools available empower construction companies to get the benefits of the recovering economy, while avoiding the bad parts.

Bigger doors, windows gain appealPlastics News Door and window manufacturers are continuing to super-size product lines to make a grander first impression at main entrances and to expand vista views of the outdoors and patio areas.
Therma-Tru Doors unveiled new 7- and 8-foot fiberglass exterior doors at last month's International Builders' Show to capitalize on the trend toward new homes built with higher ceilings.

New Breed of Software for Replacement Contractors has Changed the Game

1000’s of contractors have a powerful ally with their business management system – built just for them. “We make better decisions on marketing and better assessments of sales staff based on the data. We’re beating our competition while helping drive the bottom line!” Their growth tool helps them manage everything, from one location, boosting profits dramatically.

OSHA cites huge cost of workplace injuries. The solution? Prevent themSafety.BLR.comEvery year, more than 3 million workers are seriously injured, and thousands more are killed on the job. In a new report, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration details the enormous financial and social cost of these injuries, which are largely borne by workers, their families and taxpayers. Keep reading to learn more.

Do you have a 'small business' personality?Business News DailyYou might not ever get rich working for a small business, but there are certainly a lot of perks. For example, you'll be part of a close-knit, highly valued team; you'll have a real impact on the direction of the business; and you'll get to know the "C-suite" on a personal level.
The downside, however, is that it's a bit more difficult to get hired at a small business than at a big company. Smaller organizations typically operate with a limited budget, and when someone is added to the payroll, the whole business feels the effect. That's why small business owners are especially selective about the people they hire — and it's not always about your skills and experience.

Contractor optimism reaches historic high in annual construction industry forecastEquipment WorldThe last time contractors were this optimistic, the economy tanked and went into the longest and deepest recession since the Great Depression. That was ten years ago. Today's optimism is reported in the recently released Wells Fargo Construction Industry Forecast 2015. Of course this time, as economists like to say, it's different. The last recession was sparked by a massive, mortgage based credit bubble. And this time, there aren't enough houses being sold or mortgages being made to come anywhere near a bubble.

Are you experiencing career frustration?By Hank Boyer One of the most unexpected things about a career or job choice is that sooner or later you realize that you are experiencing some level of career frustration. What is the likelihood of feeling satisfied with your current career/job all of the time? If you said "not good," you would be right. There will always be parts of the job that you prefer less. There are usually challenging people with whom you must work. There will be things you don't think are fair. The problem is that there are no guarantees you'll find things any better at a different employer.